Wildlife conservation and softwood forestry in Australia: some considerations

Summary

Conversion of large areas of native eucalypt forest to exotic conifer plantations in south-eastern Australia has met with considerable criticism from people and organizations outside the forestry industry. The effect on wildlife has been a particularly contentious issue.

Recent research has shown that conifer plantations are not so-called biological deserts, but rather, simplified ecosystems designed to maximize wood production, which lack certain of the species of mammals, birds and plants present in mature native forest communities. Species numbers and population densities vary with stand age and the structural complexity of the vegetation, and particularly with the presence or absence of areas of native forest within or alongside the plantation.

Consideration is given to the formulation of management policies for conifer plantations, commensurate with wildlife conservation. The application of the equilibrium theory of island biogeography for the design of retained areas of native forest within a plantation is discussed. It is concluded that for optimizing wildlife conservation plantation management should be directed towards the establishment of pine stands with interconnecting areas of retained native forest throughout and alongside the plantation. Such plantation complexes would need to be managed on a compartmentalized basis if wildlife conservation and softwood forestry are to be reconciled.